Glendale Dentists Explain How Poorly Aligned Teeth Affect Oral Health As A Whole

Written by Dr. McKay on Feb 19, 2019

Many of us consider a crooked, crowded smile to be purely aesthetic problem. However, the truth is much more complicated

Looking at your oral health comprehensively, all of the parts of your smile are interconnected. When one part of your mouth is not functioning well, it can create a domino effect of health problems. Our Glendale dentists aim to correct structural imbalances in our patients’ smiles before these issues create too much damage.

If, for example your back molars are not coming together evenly and naturally, you will likely end up altering your bite in order to chew effectively. These slight alterations happen unconsciously, so you may not even notice that you’re doing it. Unfortunately, even small dental shifts can lead to big problems, such as:

  • Uneven, premature dental wear: as you alter how you chew, certain teeth will be put under additional strain, and are thus likely to accumulate damage
  • TMJ damage: your temporomandibular joints are the joints that connect your skull to your lower jaw. When your top and bottom teeth do not come together your TMJs are negatively affected—you may deal with discomfort, popping/clicking sensations, and limited jaw mobility.
  • Bruxism: many patients with bite problems also suffer from bruxism, or chronic dental grinding and clenching. Grinding and clenching can happen while the patient is sleeping, as the patient’s body searches for a natural “resting” position for the top and bottom teeth.

When you optimize your dental alignment, and treat bite issues in a timely manner, you give your smile its best chance of aging well: with healthy teeth and minimal damage.

Our Glendale dentists utilize a number of treatments to correct bite issues. Orthodontic treatment is a tried and true option, as it moves the patient’s natural teeth into better alignment. Additionally, restorative treatments like personalized crowns, dental bonding, and veneers can improve bite balance. Give our team a call to schedule a personal consultation and get started!